CVE-2021-24836 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2021-24836 article provides an overview of a security vulnerability found in the Temporary Login Without Password WordPress plugin.

Understanding CVE-2021-24836

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-24836 vulnerability affecting the Temporary Login Without Password plugin.

What is CVE-2021-24836?

The Temporary Login Without Password WordPress plugin before version 1.7.1 lacks authorization and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) checks during settings updates, allowing any logged-in users, including subscribers, to modify settings.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24836

This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious users to make unauthorized changes to the plugin's settings, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the affected WordPress websites.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24836

In this section, we explore the technical aspects of CVE-2021-24836.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Temporary Login Without Password plugin stems from the absence of proper authorization and CSRF validation when handling setting updates, enabling unauthorized users to tamper with settings.

Affected Systems and Versions

The issue affects versions of the plugin prior to 1.7.1, leaving websites that have not updated to the patched version vulnerable to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with access to the WordPress site, even with subscriber-level privileges, can exploit the lack of authorization and CSRF checks to manipulate the plugin's settings, posing a security risk.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to mitigate the CVE-2021-24836 vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

WordPress site administrators are advised to update the Temporary Login Without Password plugin to version 1.7.1 or later to address the security flaw and prevent unauthorized access to settings.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust authorization mechanisms and conducting regular security audits can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins, enhancing overall website security.

Patching and Updates

Staying up-to-date with plugin updates and security patches is crucial to safeguarding WordPress sites against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-24836.